Swimming pool chlorinator apparatus

ABSTRACT

The automatic apparatus for chlorinating a swimming pool utilizes a timing device for actuating a solenoid valve to enable chlorine, which is supplied by gravity from a chlorine tank, to enter the circulating line at a point either before or after the circulating pump which directs fluid from the pool to the filter tank. In a preferred embodiment, the chlorine enters the circulating line at the output side of the filter tank. A check valve may be substituted for the solenoid valve in which case a chlorine pressure pump is installed between the chlorine tank and the check valve.

Elnfited States Patent Simon 1 1 June 27, 1972 54] SWIMMING POOL CHLORINATOR 3,403,695 10/1968 Hopkins ..137/240 APPARATUS 3,381,699 5/1968 3,245,585 4/1966 Dawson ..222/70 [72] Inventor: James 0. Simon, 2215 W. 12th St.,

Marion 46952 Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska [22] Filed- Jan' 1970 Attorney-Watson, Cole, Grindle & Watson [21] Appl. No.: 4,287

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S.Cl ..210/128, 137/240, 210/134, The automatic apparatus for chlorinating a swimming pool 210/169 utilizes a timing device for actuating a solenoid valve to enable 511 In. c1 ..B01d 35/00 hl r which is pp y gravity from a chioiihe tank. to [58] Field of Search ..222/70, 181, 185, 148; enter the circulating line at a Point either before or after the 137/240; 210/169, 62, 139 128 134 circulating pump which directs fluid from the pool to the filter tank. In a preferred embodiment, the chlorine enters the cir- 56] References Cited culating line at the output side of the filter tank. A check valve may be substituted for the solenoid valve in which case a UNITED STATES PATENTS chlorine pressure pump is installed between the chlorine tank and the check valve. 3,129,172 4/1964 D1ckey, Jr. et al ..2l0/169 3,368,683 2/1968 Rak ..222/70 X 5 Claims,4 Drawing Figures is CHLORlNE TANK FlLTElZ TANK PATH-mama? m2 1 3.672.508

' sum 10F 2 sou-mom TMER VALVE CHLOUNE TANK CHLORNE N TIMER SOLENmD E 'Z VALVE POOL FILTER TANK l P \4 \e M/vEA/me,

SWIMMING POOL CHLORINATOR APPARATUS This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the entry of desired amounts of agents into a circulating system and, more particularly, to apparatus which automatically controls the injection of chlorine into a swimming pool.

Known apparatus for adding chlorine to a pool has the disadvantage in that the chlorine enters the circulating line of the pool ahead of the circulating pump and filter which results in undue deterioration of the circulating pump and the filter mechanism. In such systems the chlorinator apparatus requires the circulating pump in order to force the chlorine to enter the circulating line. There have been many attempts to improve apparatus for chlorinating a swimming pool including those which are directed at the chlorine tank itself, such as the use of a shell-type structure which has an open beaded end and flared base, chlorinating tanks having an upper and lower chamber with a grate and ball mechanism and a ball valve and other components in order to improve the flow of a measured amount of chlorine into the fluid system.

The apparatus of this invention utilizes gravity to cause the chlorinated water to flow from a supply receptacle into the circulating line of the pool. A solvent or acid dispenser and a two-way valve may be provided in the chlorine line between the tank and a valve mechanism for admitting the chlorine to the circulating line in order to admit solvent ahead of the valve mechanism to remove obstructions when the valve is in a first position, and to admit chlorine to the chlorine line when the valve is in a second position. The solenoid valve is energized while the solvent is being added so that the solvent will flow through the valve and clear the passage. The chlorine line may be constructed of translucent or transparent material in order to determine the condition of the line.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a chlorine tank and a solenoid valve controlled by a timing mechanism which periodically opens and closes the solenoid valve and admits the chlorine solution to the circulating line at the outlet side of the filter tank, thereby avoiding the disadvantage of having the strong chlorine solution pass through the circulating pump before it is dispersed in the swimming pool. In a modification of this embodiment, the chlorine enters the circulating pump at the intake side of the pool ahead of the circulating pump. In such embodiments, the water supply for the chlorine tank may come from a separate source and this source may be controlled by a float mechanism within the chlorine tank.

In another embodiment of the invention, a pressure pump is included in the chlorine line between the chlorine tank outlet and the timer controlled solenoid valve, in order to aid the injection of chlorine to the system.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for automatically controlling the injection of fluid agents into a circulating system by an inexpensive and less complex apparatus than that which has heretofore been provided.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus of the type specified for enabling the fluid agent to be admitted to the system by gravity flow, thereby eliminating costly and complex equipment.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide apparatus for easily removing obstructions from the chlorine line by apparatus which admits a solvent to clean the line and any equipment between the line and the circulating system through which the fluid agent must pass.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of the type specified which is automatically controlled and requires less maintenance and upkeep than known systems for the purpose.

The foregoing objects and advantages will be more clearly understood with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the chlorine is injected into the circulating water at the outlet to the swimming pool;

FIG. 2 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 wherein the chlorine is injected into the circulating fluid at the inlet from the swimming pool;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein a pressure pump is included in the line between the outlet to the chlorine tank and the inlet to the solenoid valve; and

FIG. 4 shows a mechanism for introducing solvent into the chlorine line to clear a clogged passage or solenoid valve.

In FIG. 1, water is forced from the swimming pool 10 via inlet 12 into circulating line 14 by means of circulating pump 16 and driven into filter tank 18 via portion 17 of the circulating line. The water from pool 10 is filtered ina known manner by filter tank 18 and ejected through outlet 20 thereof into portion 22 of the circulating line where it re-enters the pool via outlet 24, The portion of the circulating system described is known to those skilled in the art and circulating pump 16 and filter tank 18 may comprise any well-known devices for circulating the water and for filtering the water, respectively.

Chlorine solution from chlorine tank 26 is injected into the swimming pool via pipe 28 and through solenoid valve 30. Solenoid valve 30 is operated from an open position and into a closed position by timer 32 which is adjustable so that the solenoid valve 30 is opened and closed at desired time inter- I vals to provide the proper amount of chlorine solution into the swimming pool.

Chlorine tank 26 is installed above the water level of pool 10 so that the chlorine solution will be fed by gravity into the pool when the solenoid valve 30 is opened. If the chlorine line 28 extends far enough into the circulating line of the pool, the velocity of the flow of water in the circulating line will have a siphoning effect on the flow of chlorine in line 28 which will assist in the gravity flow from the chlorine tank 26. The chlorine line 28 should be connected to chlorine tank 26 at a desired level in order to permit settlement of the chlorine crystals or pellets below the chlorine line in the tank to prevent the raw crystals from entering the chlorine line. Chlorine tank 26 may comprise any device which is capable of holding chlorine crystals, powder, pellets or chunks which may be manually added to the tank as required. Water for mixing with the chlorine material in tank 26 is obtained through a suitable water inlet 34 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Water inlet 34 may be connected to a separate water source or may be connected with part of the circulating line, such as line portion 22, so as to provide the necessary water to dissolve the chlorine pellets in the tank.

Those skilled in the art will recognize many of the advantages which are obtained from the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the chlorine solution enters the swimming pool at one end and then is dispersed throughout the pool until it is forced into the circulating line 14 via inlet 12 at the opposite end of the pool. Thus, the chlorine solution will have had sufficient time to be fully dissolved and evenly dispersed throughout the pool before it is circulated through the system by circulating pump 16. The circulating pump is thereby not exposed to a strong concentration of chlorine solution which would tend to deteriorate the pump and shorten its operating life or necessitate its frequent maintenance. Furthermore, the timer mechanism 32 may be adjusted so that the solenoid valve 30 is opened and closed at desired intervals of time so that the pH concentration of the water in the swimming pool can be controlled within desired limits. The chlorine tank 26 is a simple mechanism which merely comprises a shelf for supporting the pellets or chunks of chlorine until they are dissolved by the water which enters through water inlet 34. If chlorine crystals are used, the tank need not contain a shelf because the chlorine line is to be connected into the tank high enough from the bottom to prevent the undissolved crystals from entering the chlorine line 28. The crystals may be stirred occasionally or as required in order to dissolve them. Chlorine tank 26 may also include a float level to control the level of water in the tank and such a mechanism will be more fully described hereinafter in conjunction with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 wherein the chlorine solution is injected into the fluid stream at the inlet portion of the pool. Elements which correspond to the same elements in FIG. 1 have been given the same numerical designation in FIG. 2. Thus, water from pool is taken from inlet 12 into circulating line 14 via circulating pump 16 and provided to filter tank 18 via portion 17 of the circulating line. Water from the filter tank is injected into the swimming pool via portion 22 through outlet of the filter tank into the swimming pool by outlet 24.

Chlorine tank 26 includes float mechanism 40 which interconnects with float valve 42 to control the entry of water from pipe 44 into chlorine tank 26. The chlorine solution is taken from tank 26 through solenoid valve 30, which is controlled by timer mechanism 32 as previously described, into line 28 where it is injected into the circulating fluid in line portion 14 at outlet 46. Chlorine line 28 extends far enough into the circulating line 14 of the pool so as to overcome the pump pressure effect of the chlorine flow into the circulating line. As in the previous embodiment, the water for chlorine tank 26 may be obtained from a separate source or it may be connected to a portion of the circulating line to draw therefrom a sufficient amount of water in order to activate the chlorine pellets in the tank. Float mechanism 40 will control the entry of water so that chlorine tank 26 does not overflow.

The apparatus disclosed in FIG. 2 provides essentially the same advantages as those set forth with respect to FIG. 1; however, the embodiment in FIG. 1 is preferred over that which is shown in FIG. 2 for the reason that the apparatus of FIG. 1 will provide a better dilution of the chlorine solution before it enters circulating pump 16, thereby more greatly preventing the deterioration of the pump mechanism. I

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus which essentially differs from the previous embodiment in that the chlorine is fed from chlorine tank 26 into the pool via inlet 24 by pressure pump 50. The elements of FIG. 3 which correspond to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 have been given the same numerical designation. As in the previous embodiments, timer mechanism 32 controls solenoid valve to provide the necessary timing for the opening and closing of the valve. Float mechanism 40 operates in the manner previously described to control the entry of water into the chlorine tank. In FIG. 3, the water inlet is provided through line 44 from portion 22 of the circulating line which comes from the outlet of filter tank 18. Sufficient water is drawn therefrom so as to activate the pellets within the chlorine tank. In this embodiment, it is not necessary that the chlorine tank be physically located above the level of the water in the pool since pressure pump 50 will provide the necessary force to inject the chlorine solution from the tank into the swimming pool via line 28. Also in this embodiment, it is not necessary that the outlet 54 of the chlorine line 28 be inserted into the pool as in the previous embodiments since pressure pump 50 will provide the necessary pressure to overcome the pressure induced by the circulating fluid in line 22. In this embodiment, the solenoid valve may be replaced by a check valve and the timing mechanism is then used to activate the pressure pump. Actuation of the pressure pump will then force open the check valve.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mechanism which may be inserted in chlorine line 28 so that should that line or the valve mechanism or the pressure pump become clogged, a solvent may be used to clear the passage through the solenoid valve. This apparatus consists of two-way valve 60 which has one passage 62 connecting to an acid or solvent dispenser 64 so that by manually switching the valve the solvent or acid may be introduced into the chlorine line between the tank and the solenoid valve. In such an embodiment, it may be advisable to construct chlorine line 28 of transparent or translucent material so that its condition may be readily ascertained by observing the flow of the chlorine water or of the acid or solvent. When the valve 60 is in the position to close the supply of chlorine solution from chlorine tank 26 it admits air into the chlorine line from the solvent dispenser 64. It is preferred that solenoid valve 60 be ener ized while the solvent is being added so that the solvent W1 l flow through solenoid valve 3 and clear the passage. This two-way valve mechanism is also desirable in the event that it is desired to make a pH correction of the pool of water and in such an event, acid may be added via the solvent dispenser into the chlorine line.

The apparatus described above provides many advantages over prior art apparatus for introducing a chlorinating agent into a swimming pool. The elements or components are simple and need not be of a complex nature in order for the apparatus to function in its intended manner. The apparatus essentially consists of the chlorine tank and a chlorine line, which is construed partly or wholly of a translucent or transparent material. The chlorine tank may include a float valve for controlling the entry of water into the tank. A two-way valve or cock is preferably provided in the chlorine line so that in one position chlorine may be injected into the swimming pool or into the circulating line; and in another position, the chlorine solution may be shut off and a connection made to an acid or solvent reservoir which will provide a means for clearing the passage and solenoid mechanism should they become clogged.

In all embodiments of the invention, the adjustable timer mechanism may be replaced by a thermal control switch in any manner which is well known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, both an adjustable timer and a thermal switch may be utilized to achieve the advantages of the invention.

The apparatus described above may be used in all kinds of pools, whether new or old, large or small, regardless of their shape and construction.

What is claimed is:

1. Swimming pool chlorinating apparatus, comprising:

means for filtering the water in a swimming pool,

means connecting said means for filtering with said swimming pool for circulating water to and from said means for filtering, means for injecting chlorine into said means for circulating, first valve means between said means for injecting chlorine and said means for circulating, means for opening and closing said first valve means to inject a desired amount of chlorine solution into said means for circulating, additional valve means and means for storing a cleaning agent, said additional valve means is positioned between said means for injecting and said first valve means and has a first position wherein chlorine solution is injected into said means for circulating and a second position wherein said cleaning agent is passed through said first valve means to remove obstructions therein, and

said means for injecting chlorine mounted above the level of water in said pool for injecting chlorine solution by gravity feed into said means for circulating.

2, Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said chlorine solution is injected in said means for circulating at a point upstream from the inlet of said means for circulating water into said swimming pool whereby the injection of chlorine is aided by the suction created by said means for circulating.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for injecting chlorine includes a transparent line to said first valve means whereby the condition of the line and said first valve means is observed.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first valve means is a solenoid valve and said means for opening and closing is a timer. 1

5. Apparatus-as in claim 1 wherein said means for injecting chlorine includes means for injecting water therein and means for maintaining the chlorine solution therein at a desired level. 

1. Swimming pool chlorinating apparatus, comprising: means for filtering the water in a swimming pool, means connecting said means for filtering with said swimming pool for circulating water to and from said means for filtering, means for injecting chlorine into said means for circulating, first valve means between said means for injecting chlorine and said means for circulating, means for opening and closing said first valve means to inject a desired amount of chlorine solution into said means for circulating, additional valve means and means for storing a cleaning agent, said additional valve means is positioned between said means for injecting and said first valve means and has a first position wherein chlorine solution is injected into said means for circulating and a second position wherein said cleaning agent is passed through said first valve means to remove obstructions therein, and said means for injecting chlorine mounted above the level of water in said pool for injecting chlorine solution by gravity feed into said means for circulating.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said chlorine solution is injected in said means for circulating at a point upstream from the inlet of said means for circulating water into said swimming pool whereby the injection of chlorine is aided by the suction created by said means for circulating.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for injecting chlorine includes a transparent line to said first valve means whereby the condition of the line and said first valve means is observed.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first valve means is a solenoid valve and said means for opening and closing is a timer.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for injecting chlorine includes means for injecting water therein and means for maintaining the chlorine solution therein at a desired level. 